Surgical stapling device with replaceable reload assembly

ABSTRACT

A surgical stapling device includes an adapter assembly and a reload assembly. The adapter assembly includes an elongate body and a channel member coupled to the elongate body. The reload assembly includes an anvil and a cartridge assembly that includes a cartridge body and a channel extension. A proximal portion of the cartridge body is received within the channel member to secure the reload assembly to the adapter assembly. The channel extension is received about a distal portion of the cartridge body and is engaged with the channel member to support the cartridge body.

FIELD

This technology is generally related to surgical stapling devices, andmore particularly, to surgical stapling devices including replaceablereload assemblies.

BACKGROUND

Surgical stapling devices for endoscopic use are well known and commonlyused to minimize patient trauma and reduce patient recovery times.Typically, endoscopic stapling devices include a tool assembly that hasan anvil and a cartridge assembly that are coupled to each other by apivot member and movable in relation to each other between open andclamped positions. The cartridge assembly includes a staple cartridgethat supports a plurality of staples. In order to facilitate reuse ofthe surgical stapling device and reduce costs associated with a surgicalprocedure, it is known to include the tool assembly as part of areplaceable reload assembly that can be replaced after each firing ofthe surgical stapling device. It is also known to include a replaceablestaple cartridge on the cartridge assembly that can be replaced tofacilitate reuse of the surgical stapling device.

Typically, a reload assembly includes the tool assembly and a proximalbody portion that supports a drive assembly for actuating the toolassembly. Replacement of the entire reload assembly after each firing ofthe surgical stapling device can be costly. The staple cartridgetypically includes a cartridge body that supports a plurality ofsurgical staples and an actuation sled. The cartridge body is flimsy andsometimes difficult to handle.

A continuing need exists for a surgical stapling device that includes aninexpensive, more robust reload assembly that can be easily replaced tofacilitate reuse of the surgical stapling device.

SUMMARY

One aspect of this disclosure is directed to a surgical stapling devicewhich includes an adapter assembly and a reload assembly. The adapterassembly includes an elongate body and a channel member. The elongatebody defines a longitudinal axis and has a proximal portion and a distalportion. The channel member is supported on the distal portion of theelongate body and includes a base wall and side walls that define acavity. The channel member is movable in relation to the elongate bodyabout an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis between a firstposition aligned with the longitudinal axis and a second positiondefining an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis. Thereload assembly includes an anvil and a cartridge assembly pivotablycoupled to the anvil. The cartridge assembly includes a cartridge bodyand a plurality of staples. The cartridge body has a proximal portionand a distal portion and defines a central knife slot and staple pocketspositioned on each side of the central knife slot. Each of the pluralityof staples is received within one of the staple pockets. The cartridgebody is releasably received within the cavity defined by the channelmember to mount the reload assembly to the adapter assembly.

In aspects of the disclosure, the anvil includes an anvil body having aproximal portion including spaced flange portions that define a recessand a distal portion, and the proximal portion of the cartridge body isreceived within the recess in the proximal portion of the anvil body.

In some aspects of the disclosure, the proximal portion of the anvilbody includes spaced fingers that are positioned within the recess andthe proximal portion of the cartridge body defines spaced slots, whereinthe spaced fingers are received within the spaced slots to pivotablycouple the anvil to the cartridge assembly.

In certain aspects of the disclosure, the spaced fingers and the spacedslots are curved.

In aspects of the disclosure, the side walls of the channel member ofthe adapter assembly include an elongated tab and the spaced flangeportions of the of the anvil body define slots, and the slots in thespaced flange portions of the anvil body receive the elongated tabs ofthe channel member to secure the reload assembly to the adapterassembly.

In some aspects of the disclosure, the adapter assembly includes abiasing member that is positioned to urge the channel member towards itsfirst position.

In certain aspects of the disclosure, the elongated tab and the slotsare positioned and configured such that the channel member must bepivoted towards its second position against the bias of the biasingmember to position the elongated tab within the slots in the spacedflange portions of the anvil body.

In aspects of the disclosure, the cartridge assembly includes a channelextension that is supported on the distal portion of the cartridge body,and the channel extension is positioned in abutting relation with thechannel member of the adapter assembly when the reload assembly ismounted to the channel member.

In some aspects of the disclosure, the channel extension includes a basewall and side walls that define a cavity, and the cavity defined by thechannel extension is aligned with the cavity defined by the channelmember when the reload assembly is mounted on the channel member of theadapter assembly.

In certain aspects of the disclosure, the cavity of the channelextension receives the distal portion of the cartridge body.

In aspects of the disclosure, the base wall of the channel extensiondefines a cutout in a proximal end of the base wall and the base wall ofthe channel member includes a distal portion that is received within thecutout when the reload assembly is mounted on the channel member of theadapter assembly.

In some aspects of the disclosure, the adapter assembly includes amounting assembly for non-removably coupling the channel member to theelongate body of the adapter assembly.

Other aspects of the disclosure are directed to an adapter assemblyincluding an elongate body, a mounting assembly, and a channel member.The elongate body defines a longitudinal axis and has a proximal portionand a distal portion. The channel member is supported on the distalportion of the elongate body by the mounting assembly and includes abase wall and side walls that define a cavity that is configured toreceive a cartridge body of a cartridge assembly of a surgical staplingdevice. The channel member is movable in relation to the elongate bodyabout an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis between a firstposition aligned with the longitudinal axis and a second positiondefining an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis.

In aspects of the disclosure, the mounting assembly non-removablycouples the channel member to the elongate body.

In some aspects of the disclosure, the adapter assembly includes abiasing member that is positioned to urge the channel member towards itsfirst position.

Other aspects of the disclosure are directed to a reload assemblyincluding an anvil and a cartridge assembly that is pivotably coupled tothe anvil. The cartridge assembly includes a cartridge body, a channelextension and a plurality of staples. The cartridge body has a proximalportion and a distal portion and defines a central knife slot and staplepockets positioned on each side of the central knife slot. Each of theplurality of staples is received within one of the staple pockets. Thechannel extension includes a base wall and side walls that define acavity. The cavity receives the distal portion of the cartridge body andis spaced from the proximal portion of the cartridge body.

Other features of the disclosure will be appreciated from the followingdescription.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various aspects of the disclosed surgical stapling device are describedherein below with reference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a surgical stapling deviceaccording to aspects of the disclosure including a 60 mm reloadassembly;

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of an adapter assembly and the 60 mmreload assembly of the surgical stapling device shown in FIG. 1 with the60 mm reload assembly of the tool assembly separated from the adapterassembly;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in FIG.2;

FIG. 4 is a side perspective exploded view of a distal portion of theadapter assembly shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a side perspective exploded view of the 60 mm reload assemblyof the surgical stapling device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the anvil of the 60 mm reloadassembly shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of a channel extension of the 60 mmreload assembly shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the channel extension of the 60mm reload assembly shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 10-10 of FIG.3;

FIG. 11 is a side view of the distal portion of the surgical staplingdevice shown in FIG. 1 as the 60 mm reload assembly is being installedthe adapter assembly;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the distal portion of the surgical staplingdevice shown in FIG. 1 with the 60 mm reload assembly coupled to theadapter assembly;

FIG. 13 is a bottom perspective view of a distal portion of the surgicalstapling device;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown inFIG. 1 illustrating the distal portion of the surgical stapling deviceshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 15-15 of FIG.1;

FIG. 16 is side perspective view of a 45 mm reload assembly according toaspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 17 is a side perspective view of the 45 mm reload assembly shown inFIG. 16 installed onto the adapter assembly of the surgical staplingdevice of FIG. 1;

FIG. 18 is side perspective view of a 30 mm reload assembly according toaspects of the disclosure; and

FIG. 19 is a side perspective view of the 30 mm reload assembly shown inFIG. 18 installed onto the adapter assembly of the surgical staplingdevice of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 20 is a side perspective view of the distal portion of the surgicalstapling device shown in FIG. 1 with an alternative version of thereload assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed surgical stapling device will now be described in detailwith reference to the drawings in which like reference numeralsdesignate identical or corresponding elements in each of the severalviews. However, it is to be understood that disclosed aspects of thesurgical stapling device are merely exemplary of the disclosure and maybe embodied in various forms. Well-known functions or constructions arenot described in detail to avoid obscuring the disclosure in unnecessarydetail. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosedherein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis forthe claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in theart to variously employ the disclosure in virtually any appropriatelydetailed structure. In addition, directional terms such as front, rear,upper, lower, top, bottom, distal, proximal, and similar terms are usedto assist in understanding the description and are not intended to limitthe disclosure. As used herein, the terms “parallel”, “perpendicular”,and “aligned” are understood to include relative configurations that aresubstantially parallel, substantially perpendicular, and substantiallyaligned, i.e., up to about + or −10 degrees from true parallel, trueperpendicular, true alignment.

The disclosure is directed to a surgical stapling device includes anadapter assembly and a reload assembly. The adapter assembly includes anelongate body and a channel member coupled to the elongate body. Thereload assembly includes an anvil and a cartridge assembly that includesa cartridge body and a channel extension. A proximal portion of thecartridge body is received within the channel member to secure thereload assembly to the adapter assembly. The channel extension isreceived about a distal portion of the cartridge body and is engagedwith the channel member to support the cartridge body.

FIG. 1 illustrates a surgical stapling device shown generally asstapling device 10 that includes a handle assembly 12, an adapterassembly 14, and a reload assembly 16. The handle assembly 12 is poweredand includes a stationary handgrip 18 and actuation buttons 20. Theactuation buttons 20 are operable to actuate various functions of thereload assembly 16 via the adapter assembly 14, i.e., approximation ofthe reload assembly, and stapling and cutting of tissue. In certainaspects of the disclosure, the handle assembly 12 supports batteries(not shown) that provide power to the handle assembly 12 to operate thestapling device 10. Although the stapling device 10 is illustrated as apowered stapling device, it is envisioned that the advantages of thisdisclosure are suitable for use with manually powered surgical staplingdevices as well as robotically controlled stapling devices. U.S. Pat.No. 5,865,361 (“'361 Patent”) describes a stapling device that describesexemplary aspects of a manually powered stapling device including areload assembly that is releasably coupled to a body portion of thestapling device.

FIGS. 2-5 illustrate the adapter assembly 14 of the surgical staplingdevice 10 (FIG. 1) which includes an elongate body 22, a mountingassembly 24, a rotation knob 26, a channel member 30, and a proximal hubportion 32. The elongate body 22 defines a longitudinal axis “X” (FIG.2) and has a proximal portion 34 and a distal portion 36. The proximalhub portion 32 of the adapter assembly 14 is releasably coupled to thehandle assembly 12 (FIG. 1) and supports the rotation knob 26. Theproximal portion 34 of the elongate body 22 is supported by the rotationknob 26 such that rotation of the rotation knob 26 about the proximalhub portion 32 of adapter assembly 14 causes rotation of the elongatebody 22 and the tool assembly 16 about the longitudinal axis “X” of theelongate body 22 in relation to the proximal bub portion 32 of theadapter assembly 14 and the handle assembly 12. The mounting assembly 24is pivotably secured to the distal portion 36 of the elongate body 22about a vertical axis “Z” as viewed in FIG. 3 and is coupled to thechannel member 30 to pivotally secure the channel member 30 to thedistal portion 36 of the elongate body 22 about the axis “Z”. In aspectsof the disclosure, the channel member 30 is non-removably coupled to theelongate body 22 by the mounting assembly 24. The channel member 30 ispivotably coupled to the mounting assembly 24 about a horizontal axis“Y” defined by pivot members 42 as viewed in FIG. 3 to facilitatepivotal movement of the channel 30 from a first position (FIG. 3)substantially longitudinally aligned with the longitudinal axis “X” andangled downwardly from the longitudinal axis “X” to a second positionextending parallel to and substantially longitudinally aligned with thelongitudinal axis “X” of the elongate body 22.

The channel member 30 includes a body 50 including a base wall 52 andside walls 54 that define a cavity 56. The base wall 52 includes adistal portion 52 a that extends distally beyond the side walls 54 (FIG.5) and defines a T-shaped channel 58 that receives a working end 60(FIG. 3) of a drive assembly of the stapling device 10. The '361 Patentdiscloses stapling device including exemplary aspects of a driveassembly that is suitable for use with the disclosed reload assembly 16.The cavity 56 of the channel member 30 releasably receives a staplecartridge of the reload assembly 16 as described in further detailbelow. In some aspects of the disclosure, each of the side walls 54 ofthe channel member 30 includes an outer surface that has an elongatedtab 54 a that extends from adjacent the base wall 52 of the channelmember 30 to the upper end of the side wall 54.

The adapter assembly 14 includes first biasing members 64 (FIG. 4). Eachof the first biasing members 64 has a proximal end supported on themounting assembly 24 and a distal end that extends into the cavity 56defined by the channel member 30. The distal ends of the biasing members64 are positioned to engage the reload assembly 16 when the reloadassembly 16 is coupled to the channel member 30 of the adapter assembly14 to urge channel member 30 towards its first position and urge thereload assembly 16 to an open position as described in further detailbelow. In aspects of the disclosure, the first biasing members 64 are inthe form of leaf springs although it is envisioned that the firstbiasing members 64 may have other configurations.

The adapter assembly 14 also includes second biasing members 66. Each ofthe second biasing members 66 (FIG. 5) includes a proximal end that isreceived within a bore 68 formed in the mounting assembly 24 and adistal end that is received in a bore 70 formed in the proximal portionof the channel member 30. The second biasing members 66 which may be inthe form of coil springs urge the channel member 30 towards its secondposition aligned with the longitudinal axis “X” of the elongate body 22.Alternately, the second biasing members 66 may have otherconfigurations.

FIGS. 6-10 illustrate the reload assembly 16 of the stapling device 10(FIG. 1) which includes a cartridge assembly 80 and an anvil 82. Each ofthe cartridge and anvil assemblies 80 and 82 includes a proximal portionand a distal portion. The cartridge assembly 80 and the anvil 82 arecoupled together such that the reload assembly 16 can pivot between anopen position (FIG. 1) in which the distal portions of the cartridge andanvil assemblies 80 and 82 are spaced from each other and a clampedposition in which the cartridge and anvil assemblies 80 and 82 are injuxtaposed alignment (FIG. 20).

The cartridge assembly 80 includes a cartridge body 84, a channelextension 86, a staple guard 88, staple pushers 90, an actuation sled92, and staples 94. The cartridge body 84 has a tissue engaging surface96 and defines a central knife slot 98 and a plurality of staple pockets100 positioned on each side of the central knife slot 98. Each of thestaple pockets 100 receives a staple 94 and one of the pushers 90. Theactuation sled 92 is movable within the cartridge body 84 from aretracted position to an advanced position to drive the pushers 90upwardly as viewed in FIG. 6 from within the cartridge body 84 towardsthe tissue engaging surface 96 of the cartridge body 84 to eject thestaples 94 from within the staple pockets 100 of the cartridge body 84.Although the cartridge body 84 is illustrated as being linear, it isenvisioned that the cartridge body 84 may have a non-linearconfiguration along its longitudinal axis. The cartridge body 84 has aproximal portion that defines curved slots 104 that are provided topivotably couple the cartridge assembly 80 to the anvil 82 as describedin further detail below.

The staple guard 88 is secured to a lower side of the cartridge body 84opposite to the tissue engaging surface 96 and provides a cover toprevent the pushers 90 and the staples 94 from falling from the lowerside of the cartridge body 84. In certain aspects of the disclosure, thestaple guard 88 includes openings 110 that receive projections 112 onthe cartridge body 84 such that the staple guard 88 can be snap-fit ontothe cartridge body 84. In aspects of the disclosure, each of theprojections 112 includes an angled surface 112 a that allows portions ofthe staple guard 88 to be cammed outwardly past the projections 112 asthe staple guard 88 is attached to the cartridge body 84. Additionaldetents 113 can also be provided on the staple guard 88 to furthersecure the staple guard 88 to the cartridge body 84. The staple guard 88defines a knife slot 114 that is aligned with the knife slot 98 formedin the cartridge body 92.

The channel extension 86 includes a base wall 120 and side walls 122that define a cavity 124. The base wall 120 includes a cutout or notch120 a (FIG. 8) at its proximal end. The cavity 124 receives a distalportion of the cartridge body 84 unless the cartridge body is 30 mm orless. In a reload assembly including a cartridge body 84 that is 30 mmor less, the cartridge assembly 80 of the reload assembly 16 is whollyreceived within the channel member 30 and does not include a channelextension 86 as described in further detail below. The side walls 122 ofthe channel extension 86 define cutouts 126 that receive projections 128of the cartridge body 84 to secure the cartridge body 84 within thechannel 124 of the channel member 86. One of the side walls 122 alsoincludes an inner surface that defines a slot 130 that receives aprojection formed on an outer surface of the cartridge body 84 to helpsecure the channel extension 86 on the cartridge body 84.

The anvil 82 includes an anvil body 140 that has a proximal portion 142and a distal portion 144. The proximal portion 142 is substantiallyU-shaped and includes spaced flange portions 146 that define a recess148 that receives the proximal portion of the cartridge assembly 80. Insome aspects of the disclosure, the spaced flange portions 146 of theanvil body 84 define slots 146 a. The proximal portion 142 includes aninner surface 142 a (FIG. 7) that faces the cartridge assembly 80 andtwo spaced fingers 150 (FIG. 7) that extend from the inner surface 142 atowards the cartridge assembly 80. The spaced fingers 150 are curved andare received within the curved slots 104 (FIG. 10) defined within theproximal portion of the cartridge body 84 of the cartridge assembly 80.Receipt of the spaced fingers 150 within the curved slots 104 pivotallycouples the anvil assembly 82 to the cartridge assembly 80 such that thecartridge and anvil assemblies 80 and 82 are movable in relation to eachother between open and clamped positions.

The anvil body 140 includes a staple forming surface 154 that extendsfrom the proximal portion 142 of the anvil body 140 to the distalportion 144 of the anvil body 140 and faces the cartridge assembly 80.The staple forming surface 154 defines a knife slot 156 and a pluralityof staple forming pockets 160 that are in juxtaposed alignment with thecartridge body 84 of the cartridge assembly 80 when the cartridge andanvil assemblies 80 and 82 are in the clamped position. The knife slot156 communicates with a channel 162 (FIG. 7) defined within the anvilbody 84 that receives a portion of the working end 60 (FIG. 3) of thedrive assembly of the adapter assembly 14 of the stapling device 10 whenthe stapling device 10 is fired. The '361 Patent discloses an exemplarydrive assembly including a working end suitable for use with thedisclosed reload assembly 16.

When the cartridge assembly 80 and the anvil 82 are assembled, theproximal portion of the cartridge assembly 80 is positioned between thespaced flange portions 146 of the anvil body 140 and the spaced fingers150 of the anvil body 140 are received within the curved slots 104 ofthe cartridge body 84. The configuration of the slots 104 and thefingers 150 allow the cartridge assembly 80 to pivot in relation to theanvil 82 between the open position (FIG. 10) and a clamped position(FIG. 20) in which the staple forming surface 154 of the anvil 80 ispositioned in juxtaposed alignment with the tissue engaging surface 96of the cartridge body 84.

FIGS. 11-15 illustrate the reload assembly 16 as the reload assembly 16is mounted onto the channel 30 of the adapter assembly 14 (FIG. 3). Asdescribed above, the second biasing members 66 urge the channel member30 towards a position in which the channel member 30 is aligned with thelongitudinal axis “X” of the elongate body 22 of the adapter assembly14. In this position, the tabs 54 a on the side walls 54 of the channelmember 30 are positioned to engage the spaced flange portions 146 of theanvil body 140. In order to mount the reload assembly 30 onto thechannel member 30 of the adapter assembly 14, the channel member 30 ispivoted against the bias of the second biasing members 66 in thedirection of arrow “A” in FIG. 11 to move the tabs 54 a out of alignmentwith the spaced flange portions 146 of the anvil body 140. Next, thereload assembly 16 is moved longitudinally in the direction of arrow “B”in FIG. 11 into engagement with the mounting assembly 24. When the tabs54 a are aligned with the slots 146 a in the spaced flanges 146 of theanvil body 140, the channel member 30 is released to allow the tabs 54 aof the channel member 30 to pivot in the direction indicated by arrow“C” in FIG. 12 into the slots 146 a of the anvil body 140 to secure thereload assembly 16 to the channel member 30 of the adapter assembly 14.

When the reload assembly 16 is secured to the channel member 30 of theadapter assembly 14, the channel extension 86 of the reload assembly 16is in abutting relation to the channel member 30 of the adapter assembly14 and the distal portion 52 a of the base wall 52 of the channel member30 is received within the cutout 120 a of the channel extension 86. Inthis position, the first biasing members 64 engage the cartridge body 84of the cartridge assembly 80 to urge the cartridge assembly 80 away fromthe anvil assembly 80. This has the effect of urging the channel member30 towards its second position misaligned with the longitudinal axis “X”of the elongate body 22 of the adapter assembly 14 to move the reloadassembly 16 to the open position (FIG. 14).

In aspects of the disclosure, the channel member 30 of the adapterassembly 14 is adapted to receive 30 mm, 45 mm, and 60 mm reloadassemblies. FIGS. 1-15 illustrate the stapling device 10 with a 60 mmreload assembly 16. The channel member 30 has a length (approximately 30mm) to receive the proximal portion of the cartridge body 84 of a 60 mmreload assembly 16 and the channel extension 86 receives the distalportion of the cartridge body 84. Since the adapter assembly 14 can beused with multiple size reload assemblies 16, the size of the channelextension 86 will vary based upon the size of the reload assembly. Forexample, FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate the channel member 30 of the adapterassembly 14 with a 45 mm reload assembly 216 mounted to the channelmember 30. As illustrated, when a 45 mm reload assembly 216 is mountedon the channel member 30, the channel extension 286 has a shorter length(approximately 15 mm) than the channel extension 86 (FIG. 12) of thereload assembly 16. This is because the length of the channel member 30is the same regardless of what size reload assembly is mounted on theadapter assembly 14. Similarly, as illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19, whena 30 mm reload assembly 316 is mounted onto the channel member 30 of theadapter assembly 14, the reload assembly 316 does not include a channelextension because the cartridge body 384 of the reload assembly 316 isfully supported within the channel member 30 of the adapter assembly 14.

FIG. 20 illustrates an alternative version of the disclosed and adapterassembly and reload assembly shown generally as adapter assembly 414 andreload assembly 416. The adapter assembly 414 and the reload assembly416 are substantially identical to the adapter assembly 14 and reloadassembly 16 except that the channel member 430 of the adapter assembly414 and the channel extension 486 of the reload assembly 416 includeadditional interlocking structure to maintain alignment between thechannel member 430 and the channel extension 486 when the reloadassembly 416 is mounted onto the channel member 430. More specifically,the channel member 430 of the adapter assembly 414 includes a distalportion that defines longitudinal recesses 430 a (only one is shown) andthe channel extension 486 of the reload assembly 416 includes proximallyextending fingers 486 a (only one is shown) that are received within thelongitudinal recesses 430 a to maintain alignment between the channelmember 430 and the channel extension 486 when the reload assembly 416 ismounted onto the channel member 430. Although the longitudinal recesses430 are shown in the channel member 430 and the proximally extendingfingers 486 a are shown on the channel extension 486, it is envisionedthat these features could be reversed. It is also envisioned that one ormore fingers and recesses of varying shapes could be provided to ensurealignment between the channel member 430 and the channel extension 486.

Persons skilled in the art will understand that the devices and methodsspecifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings are non-limiting exemplary aspects of the disclosure. It isenvisioned that the elements and features illustrated or described inconnection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with theelements and features of another without departing from the scope of thedisclosure. As well, one skilled in the art will appreciate furtherfeatures and advantages of the disclosure based on the above-describedaspects of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to belimited by what has been particularly shown and described, except asindicated by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A surgical stapling device comprising: an adapter assembly including an elongate body defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal portion and a distal portion, and a channel member supported on the distal portion of the elongate body, the channel member including a base wall and side walls that define a cavity, the channel member being movable in relation to the elongate body about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis between a first position aligned with the longitudinal axis and a second position defining an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis; and a reload assembly including an anvil and a cartridge assembly pivotably coupled to the anvil, the cartridge assembly including a cartridge body and a plurality of staples, the cartridge body having a proximal portion and a distal portion and defining a central knife slot and staple pockets positioned on each side of the central knife slot, each of the plurality of staples received within one of the staple pockets, wherein the cartridge body is releasably received within the cavity defined by the channel member to releasably mount the reload assembly including the cartridge assembly and the anvil to the adapter assembly.
 2. The surgical stapling device of claim 1, wherein the anvil includes an anvil body having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion of the anvil body including spaced flange portions that define a recess, the proximal portion of the cartridge body received within the recess in the proximal portion of the anvil body.
 3. The surgical stapling device of claim 2, wherein the side walls of the channel member of the adapter assembly include an elongated tab and the spaced flange portions of the of the anvil body define slots, the slots in the spaced flange portions of the anvil body receiving the elongated tabs of the channel member to secure the reload assembly to the adapter assembly.
 4. The surgical stapling device of claim 3, wherein the adapter assembly includes a biasing member that is positioned to urge the channel member towards its first position.
 5. The surgical stapling device of claim 4, wherein the elongated tab and the slots are positioned and configured such that the channel member must be pivoted towards its second position against the bias of the biasing member to position the elongated tab within the slots in the spaced flange portions of the anvil body.
 6. The surgical stapling device of claim 1, wherein the adapter assembly includes a mounting assembly for non-removably coupling the channel member to the elongate body of the adapter assembly.
 7. A surgical stapling device comprising: an adapter assembly including an elongate body defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal portion and a distal portion, and a channel member supported on the distal portion of the elongate body, the channel member including a base wall and side walls that define a cavity, the channel member being movable in relation to the elongate body about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis between a first position aligned with the longitudinal axis and a second position defining an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis; and a reload assembly including an anvil and a cartridge assembly pivotably coupled to the anvil, the cartridge assembly including a cartridge body and a plurality of staples, the cartridge body having a proximal portion and a distal portion and defining a central knife slot and staple pockets positioned on each side of the central knife slot, each of the plurality of staples received within one of the staple pockets, wherein the cartridge body is releasably received within the cavity defined by the channel member to mount the reload assembly to the adapter assembly, the anvil including an anvil body having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion of the anvil body including spaced flange portions that define a recess, the proximal portion of the cartridge body received within the recess in the proximal portion of the anvil body, wherein the proximal portion of the anvil body includes spaced fingers that are positioned within the recess and the proximal portion of the cartridge body defines spaced slots, the spaced fingers received within the spaced slots to pivotably couple the anvil to the cartridge assembly.
 8. The surgical stapling device of claim 7, wherein the spaced fingers and the spaced slots are curved.
 9. A surgical stapling device comprising: an adapter assembly including an elongate body defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal portion and a distal portion, and a channel member supported on the distal portion of the elongate body, the channel member including a base wall and side walls that define a cavity, the channel member being movable in relation to the elongate body about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis between a first position aligned with the longitudinal axis and a second position defining an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis; and a reload assembly including an anvil and a cartridge assembly pivotably coupled to the anvil, the cartridge assembly including a cartridge body and a plurality of staples, the cartridge body having a proximal portion and a distal portion and defining a central knife slot and staple pockets positioned on each side of the central knife slot, each of the plurality of staples received within one of the staple pockets, wherein the cartridge body is releasably received within the cavity defined by the channel member to mount the reload assembly to the adapter assembly, wherein the cartridge assembly includes a channel extension supported on the distal portion of the cartridge body, the channel extension positioned in abutting relation with the channel member of the adapter assembly when the reload assembly is mounted to the channel member.
 10. The surgical stapling device of claim 9, wherein the channel extension includes a base wall and side walls that define a cavity, the cavity defined by the channel extension aligned with the cavity defined by the channel member when the reload assembly is mounted on the channel member of the adapter assembly, the cavity of the channel extension receiving the distal portion of the cartridge body.
 11. The surgical stapling device of claim 10, wherein the base wall of the channel extension defines a cutout in a proximal end of the base wall and the base wall of the channel member includes a distal portion that is received within the cutout when the reload assembly is mounted on the channel member of the adapter assembly.
 12. A reload assembly comprising: an anvil and a cartridge assembly pivotably coupled to the anvil, the cartridge assembly including a cartridge body, a channel extension and a plurality of staples, the cartridge body having a proximal portion and a distal portion and defining a central knife slot and staple pockets positioned on each side of the central knife slot, each of the plurality of staples received within one of the staple pockets, the channel extension including a base wall and side walls defining a cavity, the cavity receiving the distal portion of the cartridge body, wherein the channel extension is spaced from the proximal portion of the cartridge body.
 13. The reload assembly of claim 12, wherein the anvil includes an anvil body having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion of the anvil body including spaced flange portions that define a recess, the proximal portion of the cartridge body received within the recess in the proximal portion of the anvil body.
 14. The reload assembly of claim 13, wherein the proximal portion of the anvil body includes spaced fingers that are positioned within the recess and the proximal portion of the cartridge body defines spaced slots, the spaced fingers received within the spaced slots to pivotably couple the anvil to the cartridge assembly.
 15. The reload assembly of claim 14, wherein the spaced fingers and the spaced slots are curved.
 16. The reload assembly of claim 15, wherein the base wall of the channel extension defines a cutout in a proximal end of the base wall.
 17. The reload assembly of claim 16, wherein the side walls of the channel extension each include a proximally extending finger. 